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Nearly 25 years in the past, the “Harry Potter” movies launched Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson into international stardom. While the younger leads had been comparatively unknown, when it was time to forged the villainous Lord Voldemort, the manufacturing turned to veteran Ralph Fiennes. The actor’s transformation into the vindictive Dark Lord turned a grasp class in menace, leaving Fiennes inextricably linked to the enduring character.
Now, as HBO gears up for a new seven-season adaptation that’ll debut Christmas 2026, the Wizarding World is bracing for a brand new period. With Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley), and Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger) set to guide the decade-long journey, the search is on for a villain who can match their dedication and redefine Harry’s heroism for the small display.
As the trade buzzes with names, we’ve rounded up the highest contenders to play He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. From rumor mill front-runners to dark-horse favorites, these actors possess the vary and presence to redefine Lord Voldemort for the franchise’s subsequent era.
1. Cillian Murphy
From “Peaky Blinders” to his Oscar-winning flip in “Oppenheimer,” Murphy is a grasp of versatility. His historical past of taking part in advanced antagonists, most notably in “The Dark Knight” trilogy, has fueled hypothesis that he’s the best option to painting Voldemort on HBO’s adaptation. With his piercing gaze and chameleonic depth, Murphy is a superb casting option to convey a recent and terrifying depth to the character.
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2. Bill Skarsgård
From taking part in Pennywise in the “It” franchise to Count Orlok in “Nosferatu,” Skarsgård is not any stranger to bodily transformation. So it solely appears becoming that he be thought of. Fans have dubbed him a modern-day “scream king,” and everybody is aware of Voldemort’s the scariest a part of the “Harry Potter” story (except for Dolores Umbridge’s Pepto-Bismol–impressed wardrobe, that’s). Who wouldn’t like to see Skarsgård torment a brand new batch of youngsters?
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3. Paul Bettany
Reports suggest Bettany is presently one among HBO’s high selections for the function. Having performed villains in “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “The Da Vinci Code,” the actor excels at mixing menace with sophistication. Additionally, his expertise enduring hours of claustrophobic sensible results for his Marvel character Vision proves he has the stamina to inhabit Voldemort’s sinister aesthetic. Though he maintains that no formal provide has been made, he suits the profile of the Dark Lord completely.
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4. Jamie Campbell Bower
After his chilling efficiency as Vecna on “Stranger Things,” it’s clear Bower excels in the shadows, main many to fancast him as the brand new Voldemort. His capability to mix youthful attraction with historical, creeping evil makes him a major candidate. Plus, he’s already been a part of the “Harry Potter” franchise. Fans will bear in mind him because the younger Gellert Grindelwald throughout each the unique and “Fantastic Beasts” movies.
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5. Cynthia Erivo
While nonetheless very a lot unconfirmed, rumors of Erivo being cast as Voldemort on HBO’s “Harry Potter” sequence have sparked main buzz. Following her powerhouse flip as Elphaba in “Wicked,” followers recommend her signature depth may reinvent the Dark Lord. After all, she’s already mastered taking part in one depraved witch. Trading a broomstick for a Horcrux looks like the last word solution to defy gravity as soon as once more.
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6. Benedict Cumberbatch
From his commanding flip as Khan Noonien Singh in “Star Trek Into Darkness” to his visceral, motion-capture efficiency because the dragon Smaug in “The Hobbit” motion pictures, Cumberbatch is a grasp of taking part in the high-stakes antagonist. He even demonstrated his craft onstage, alternating between the creator and the creature in the Royal National Theatre’s 2011 manufacturing of “Frankenstein.” As a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (howdy, Doctor Strange!), Cumberbatch has confirmed he can anchor a worldwide franchise, making him a formidable candidate for a long-term dedication to the Wizarding World.
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7. Nicholas Hoult
Hoult’s journey may come full circle if he lastly joins the Wizarding World—this time because the Dark Lord. After originally auditioning for the role of Harry as a child, his latest transformation into Lex Luthor for James Gunn’s “Superman” proves he has the vary to tug off a top-tier villain. With Hoult recently expressing interest in the HBO series, he looks like somebody who may disappear into the function and at last depart a definitive mark on the franchise.
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8. Robert Pattinson
Before changing into synonymous with “Twilight” vampire Edward Cullen, Pattinson performed Cedric Diggory in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Now set to play the villainous Scytale in “Dune: Part Three,” he’s confirmed he can grasp manipulative antagonists. This makes him an incredible alternative for followers as it could convey him again to the franchise. His quietly unhinged depth would bridge the hole between the charming Tom Riddle and the predatory He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named.
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9. Chiwetel Ejiofor
No matter the function, Ejiofor brings a commanding presence to the display. Having voiced Scar in the 2019 remake of Disney’s traditional animated movie “The Lion King,” Ejiofor is aware of what it means to convey depth to a well-liked story’s major villain. After all, as he advised Entertainment Weekly, he couldn’t wait to discover the psychology of Scar’s “completely destroyed and brutalized” relationship with Mufasa. We’ve acquired chills imagining what he’d do with Voldemort!
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10. Tom Blyth
Blyth has already made his mark as Coriolanus Snow in “The Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” however there’s nothing stopping this relative up-and-coming actor from bringing one other well-known franchise’s dangerous man to life. The Juilliard alum has loads of tv expertise beneath his belt, too, as he was the titular “Billy the Kid” for 3 seasons on MGM+’s sequence. Making the transfer to a different main franchise solely looks like a matter of time for this rising star.
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Where to seek out casting requires the brand new “Harry Potter” sequence
While the official search for the golden trio wrapped in October 2024, and it’s clear HBO is looking for main star energy to fill Voldemort’s robes, the manufacturing of the “Harry Potter” sequence is much from full. With seven seasons of magic forward, roles will proceed to open up as manufacturing strikes by the books.
Whether you’re eyeing a supporting half, a spot as a background additional, or a place on the technical crew, maintain an in depth watch on our HBO casting page. We recurrently submit recent casting notices and updates for your entire community, making certain you gained’t miss your probability to hitch the Wizarding World when the chance arises.
